Rev. Scott B. Smith

Rev. Scott Brian Smith, age 61 years of Niles, Michigan; son, father, brother, bluegrass musician, chef, and current pastor of the Portage Prairie United Methodist Church in Bertrand Township, Michigan, died peacefully on Thursday, October 9, 2025 at home in the church parsonage, unexpectedly, but of natural causes.

He was born on March 31. 1964 in South Bend, Indiana to Max Utah and Kaye Marguerite (Livings) Smith, and has lived in Niles all of his life. He was graduated from Niles High School where he had been a member of Niles’ first Varsity Soccer team, and a member of Niles’ last Varsity Hockey team, having reached the greatest number of goals scored by an individual player in Niles hockey history, and remains the all-time leading scorer to this day.

He continued his education at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, where he earned his Bachelors Degree, and at Bethel College (now University) in Mishawaka, Indiana where he earned his first Masters Degree. He was employed for many years as a chef, serving in the kitchens of the former Barkley’s Restaurant in South Bend, the former Pickwick Club of Niles, and the Knollwood Country Club.

He returned to college several years later, attending the United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio, earning the degree of Master of Divinity in 2013. His first pastorate was at the Weidman (Michigan) United Methodist Church, and in 2019 became the pastor of the Portage Prairie United Methodist Church, leading from behind the pulpit, and from behind the guitar, working with the congregation’s worship band.

Scott was active in Niles community events, assisting in the leadership of the Niles Bluegrass Festival, and adding the Niles Jesus Fest, gathering members of many area congregations to the riverfront to sing praises, hear the Word spoken, and Baptizing new believers in the Saint Joseph River. His interest in Bluegrass music led him to learn several instruments in addition to the guitar, becoming proficient on the mandolin, the keyboard, and more recently, the pedal steel guitar.

He remained an active fan of athletics especially the Detroit Red Wings Hockey team, but also the Chicago Cubs Baseball team, and all athletics at the University of Notre Dame. He continued to enjoy working in the kitchen, experimenting with exotic meats such as camel, and found great pleasure in mixing pot-luck meals with live bluegrass performance.

Scott was preceded in death by his father, Max U. “Mike” Smith on November 10, 1984, and by a sister, Kristine “Kris” Smith on August 30, 2014.

Surviving family includes his children, Louisianna (& Joseph) Buckhanan and Amanda (& Joshua) Wolfe, both of Niles, and Emily (& Cody) Robinson of South Bend; four grandchildren; Scott’s mother, Kaye Smith of Niles; Scott’s sisters, Cathie Smith and Michele Smith, both of Niles; several nieces and nephews; a wonderful circle of fellow musicians and festival friends, and his congregation at Portage Prairie.

The funeral service for Pastor Scott Smith will be at Noon on Monday, October 20, 2025 at the Portage Prairie United Methodist Church, 2450 Orange Road in Bertrand Township, with Senior Pastor Jeffrey Whittaker of the Michiana Christian Embassy in Niles officiating. Committal will follow in the church’s graveyard, the Portage Prairie Cemetery.  

Visitation will be on Monday, at the church, beginning at 10:00 a.m.  Contributions in memory of Pastor Scott may be made to continue his ministries at the Portage Prairie United Methodist Church, 2450 Orange Road, Niles, Michigan 49120; https://www.theprairiechurch.com/. Arrangements were completed at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 East Main Street in Niles.  Those wishing to attend via Livestream may do so at the Facebook page of Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home. Condolences and memories may be left at:

www.halbritterwickens.com

The webpage for Portage Prairie Church includes this introduction to their pastor: “Pastor Scott is a passionate leader with a heart for both God and community. When he's not preaching the gospel, you’ll likely find him enjoying the beauty of the great outdoors or strumming some instrument to some good ol' bluegrass tunes.” The neck of Scott’s guitar includes the scripture reference Gal 5:22, which is: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness”. His introduction ends with: “Pastor Scott is committed to guiding others in faith with warmth, humor, and a whole lot of heart.”

Pastor Scott fulfilled . . . and has now completed . . . that ministry.